2004 Mazda Mx-5 + — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 22,072 MOT tests analysed for the 2004 Mazda Mx-5 +, the most common recorded failure areas were brakes, lighting & signalling and suspension. Its pass rate of 73.5% was below the average for coupes & convertibles of a similar age (77.0%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 29.9% in the 150k+ group versus 12.3% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 11.4% | 2,508 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 9.9% | 2,185 |
| 3 | Suspension | 9.6% | 2,121 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 7.3% | 1,607 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 6.3% | 1,388 |
| 6 | Seat belts & restraints | 5.2% | 1,153 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 2,009 |
| 2 | Prescribed areas | 1,774 |
| 3 | Catalyst emissions | 1,503 |
| 4 | Integral vehicle structure condition | 1,060 |
| 5 | Position lamp | 1,044 |
| 6 | Service brake performance | 1,018 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 31.7% | 7,002 |
| 2 | Suspension | 28.3% | 6,251 |
| 3 | Tyres | 17.3% | 3,816 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 16.2% | 3,573 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 11.1% | 2,452 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 7.8% | 1,721 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 848 | 12.3% |
| 30-60k | 5,063 | 20.3% |
| 60-90k | 8,784 | 27.8% |
| 90-120k | 4,997 | 30.8% |
| 120-150k | 1,472 | 31.5% |
| 150k+ | 901 | 29.9% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 5,512 | 27.3% |
| 2022 | 4,974 | 27.3% |
| 2023 | 4,544 | 26.6% |
| 2024 | 3,723 | 25.2% |
| 2025 | 3,319 | 25.3% |
What to check before buying a 2004 Mx-5 +
Before buying a 2004 Mazda Mx-5 +, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Brakes accounted for 11.4% of tests for this year.
- Brakes (11.4% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
- Lighting & signalling (9.9% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (9.6% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 2004 Mazda Mx-5 +s pass their MOT?
73.5% of the 22,072 2004 Mazda Mx-5 + MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 26.5% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2004 Mazda Mx-5 +?
Brakes, recorded in 11.4% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (9.9%).
Does the 2004 Mx-5 + get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 12.3% in the 0-30k band to 29.9% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 22,072 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-01. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.